There are many pros and cons of a gas oven. Gas ranges are more expensive than their electric alternative, but generally cost less to use. They provide even heat with the help of fans but if fans are not installed with the oven, the food may need to be rotated often so it can all be cooked thoroughly. Some have sealed burners, making them easy to clean, but others are not sealed and may become easily clogged with food. Changes in heat are instant with gas ovens, but that benefit is accompanied by the fact that these ovens always present the possibility of a gas leak.

The decision to purchase an electric or gas range is personal and will depend on what the buyer is used to cooking with and how he will use the oven. It is typically more expensive to purchase a gas range than an electric one. Many people find they save a lot of money in the long run with a gas range, though, because it's usually cheaper to run a gas oven than an electric oven. These ovens also are not as common as electric ovens, so it is sometimes difficult for a person to find a wide selection.

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An electric oven heats up quickly, while a gas range is generally slower. Gas though, offers instant changes in heat should a person decide to alter the temperature of the oven. The heat from a gas oven is also moister than electric heat, which means dishes such as meat and pie will not dry out as easily while they are cooking in a gas oven.

Some gas ovens come with fans, which help to circulate the heat in the oven. These fans allow for even heat. More traditional ovens may not come with this extra, so any food that is place in the oven may need to be turned occasionally so it can be fully cooked and cooked evenly.

Most gas ranges conserve heat, meaning there will not be as much heat leaking out into the kitchen. The kitchen will not become as hot, so the person cooking may be able to enjoy himself more. This also means that the top of the stove will not get as warm so there is less of a chance of a person burning himself.

Possibly the worst thing that could happen with a gas range is a gas leak. This is rare, but there is always a possibility that it may occur. For this reason, a professional should install any gas stove brought into a home.

Discuss this Article

mrwormyPost 3

I still fear the idea of an unexpected gas leak, so I'll just stick with my electric oven. In my area, natural gas is also very expensive compared to electricity.

RocketLanch8Post 2

One thing I've discovered about gas ovens is that they will still operate when the power is off. We had a devastating tornado in our area a few years ago, and the electricity was off for a week. Everything in our freezer and refrigerator was about to ruin, and we had no way to cook anything because of our electric stove.

Fortunately, our neighbors had a gas oven and allowed us to cook off whatever foods were still good. We ate well during the crisis, and stored the rest of the food in insulated coolers filled with ice. At first I was against the idea of having our own gas oven, but it made more sense after losing our electricity for so long.

CageybirdPost 1

I do a lot of cooking at home, and I personally prefer a gas oven to an electric one. I like being able to control how much heat I'm applying to my food, and I can do it visually with a gas burner. It's very difficult to gauge heat with electric burners, although you can get an idea of low, medium or high heat settings with temperature controls. I also tend to shake and toss my pans while cooking, and a gas oven's burners allowed me to do that more easily.

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